Social Planning Associate

Social Planning Associate

Job Number: 3568

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: 20 Weber St E - 20 Weber

Job Category: Health Care and Social Assistance

Number of Positions: 1

Department: Children's Services

Division: Community Services

Hours of Work: 35

Union: Management/Management Support

Grade: Management/Management Support Grade 05

Salary Range: $83, $104,431.60 annually

About Us

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.

Guided by our Strategic Plan, "Growing with Care," we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

Why Join Us

As a Social Planning Associate in Children's Services, you will be supporting one of the most exciting policy shifts in the social services sector in over 50 years – the implementation of the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan. This federal policy is supporting significant changes to the early years sector, including a reduction in fees, increase of quality, establishing a workforce strategy and planning for significant growth and expansion in the licensed child care system.

As a Social Planning Associate, you are part of the Management Support Team and work closely with Managers and the Director of Children's Services, providing recommendations and insights from emerging research, data collection and trends. You will be part of leading large-system wide initiatives aimed at advancing quality in the early years as well as other projects related to the Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan and Access and Inclusion Plan. The Children's Services team is deeply committed to reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion and brings that vision to life through innovative community partnerships, ongoing professional development, self-reflection and brave conversations.

Join our team and make a difference in the lives of our youngest citizens.

The Role

Advises management on social planning, policy analysis and development, project management, and community capacity building within the Children's Service. Works with departmental staff, other departments, and community stakeholders to develop, implement, and evaluate programs, services, and partnerships that improve quality of life.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, support, and expertise in program research and evaluation to internal and external stakeholders. Develops methodology and data collection tools. Analyzes data, predicts trends, prepares reports, and makes recommendations on program and policy changes.
• Manages projects to design and implement social planning processes and frameworks (e.g., service plans, long-term system plans) and is accountable for ensuring objectives, work plans, and timelines are set and met. Leads project teams.
• Administers contracts with consultants (e.g., research, training development). Leads committees and project teams. Provides technical direction to other staff.
• Assists internal and external stakeholders to identify strategic and system-level policy gaps and opportunities. Leads service, staffing, and system reviews, and recommends changes to senior management. Makes recommendations regarding funding allocation and additional resources. Develops and advises on implementation plans. Analyzes, develops, and recommends policies and guidelines.
• Stays current on funding opportunities offered by government and community partner initiatives and recommends pursuing same to management. Prepares funding applications.
• Provides planning-related leadership, support, and expertise to management. Identifies issues, needs, resources, and opportunities for integrated planning across divisions, departments, and the community, and facilitates same.
• Develops and facilitates community capacity building. Represents assigned Division/the Department on related committees and at community functions.
• Prepares and presents reports to senior management and standing committees of Council.
• Provides program and service information to staff, stakeholders, and the public (e.g., website, promotional material).
• Exchanges information with staff in other municipalities, Ministries, agencies, and education institutions.
• Provides information to management in response to information requests from the public and the media.
• Provides assistance and information to service providers and community agencies, as it relates to policies, directions, and priorities.
• Works with and provides advice to staff and senior management in the Department and other departments (e.g., Public Health, Community Planning) on community development, policy issues, program development, service system plans, and initiatives.
• Develops and monitors legal agreements to ensure compliance with legislation, in consultation with Legal and other departments.
• Presents and discusses issues related to delivery of contracted services, program plans, and policy with senior management and Community Services Committee.
• Promotes the Department's vision and philosophy of integrated customer service within and across divisions, across departments, and within the community, with stakeholders.
• Creates and maintains the Department's component of the Regional Emergency Plan, as directed.
• Supervises students
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of municipal and provincial social service and healthcare programs and related legislation; interrelationships between levels of government, public administration, strategic and social planning, research and evaluation, community development, program administration, and factors impacting social wellbeing and quality of life, normally acquired through a Master's Degree in a related field (e.g., Social Work, Social Planning, Community Psychology, Education, Social Policy, Human Service Administration), plus progressively responsible related experience in a social services or related field.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and relevant legislation, guidelines, and direction.
• Research, analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills to create project goals and objectives; develop work plans; make systematic and rational judgments; schedule and organize events; and take a broad view of issues, events, and activities and understand their longer term impact/wider implications.
• Leadership, facilitation, negotiation, and human relations skills to manage, develop, motivate, train, and support others in achieving objectives; build consensus and communicate effectively within a diverse service group; develop joint programming with community partner agencies; participate in news conferences and respond to media inquiries; present proposals and reports; make presentations to departmental and Regional staff (including senior management, Council, Committee), community groups, and other organizations; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret legislation, guidelines, and direction; policies and procedures; government and community publications; budget and financial statements; statistical information; contracts; and proposals.
• Ability to write/prepare policies, procedures, and program requirement frameworks and guidelines; reports; articles; service plans; and correspondence.
• Ability to exercise discretion when handling confidential material.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, and database systems.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region's values.

The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We actively encourage applications from diverse groups, including Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, Inuit individuals, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace.

Accessibility and Accommodations

The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workplace where all employees can succeed. If you require accommodations at any stage of your employment, whether during onboarding, training, or while performing your role, please let us know. Your hiring manager will reach out prior to your start date to discuss the role, workspace, and typical workday to ensure you have the supports you need to be successful. Accommodations are flexible and may be adjusted as your needs or role evolve. All discussions regarding accommodations are confidential, focused on supporting your success, and respect your choice about what, if any, personal information you wish to share. For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact , or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).